Welcome back to Beyond the Crops for our final episode of the season! In this special solo episode, Jena is flying solo as Mary Pat is under the weather. After opening with a heartfelt prayer for health and a Christ-centered holiday season, Jena takes a moment to reflect on the year that was, the lessons learned, and what’s on the horizon for 2026. She shares a vulnerable and transparent look at her family’s intensive health and healing journey this past year, from startling lab results to the powerful tools they’ve used to detox and heal. This is a raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful look at a year of growth, challenges, and leaning on faith.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ Flying Solo: Jena explains why she's recording by herself and sends prayers and well wishes to Mary Pat, who is recovering from another vertigo spell.
✅ A Quick Christmas Recap
✅ The Best "Non-Toy" Gifts
✅ A Year of Healing: The 2025 Health Journey.
✅ Looking Ahead to 2026:
* Podcast Plans: The podcast will be taking a break for the month of January and will return with fresh episodes in February!
* Family & Faith: Jena shares her family's prayer for another child in the coming year and the importance of focusing on health and healing first.
* A Heartfelt Thank You: A sincere thank you to all the loyal listeners for their support, engagement, and ideas throughout the year.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Your health is your greatest asset. Don't wait for a crisis to make your well-being a priority. Investing in your health now is a long-term investment in your family and your future.
✨ Healing is a journey, not a destination. It involves lifestyle changes that stack over time. Be patient with yourself and celebrate the small steps forward.
✨ Detoxification is a powerful tool. In a world full of environmental toxins, actively supporting your body's natural detox pathways through tools like saunas, lymphatic support, and ozone therapy can be game-changing.
✨ It's okay to take a break. Whether it's a social media break or a podcast break, stepping back to rest, recharge, and focus on family is essential for long-term sustainability.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
Have you navigated tricky family business conversations? What's one piece of advice you'd give to another farm family in transition? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line! The link is in our show notes.

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Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! Get ready for another rapid-fire Q&A episode where Jena and Mary Pat tackle your heartfelt and practical questions. After opening with a prayer, they dive straight into some of the most relatable struggles of motherhood and farm life. From navigating the tough transition to being a stay-at-home mom and recovering from burnout, to the secrets of a happy marriage and the daunting world of healthcare, this conversation is packed with vulnerability, wisdom, and actionable advice.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ The Stay-at-Home Mom Transition
✅ Burnout Recovery Advice
✅ Home & Family Systems
✅ How They Knew Their Husbands Were "The One"
✅ What They Wish They Knew in Their 20s
✅ Intentions for the New Year
✅ Navigating Healthcare as a Farm Family
* Advocating for Your Health: Crucial advice on how to be your own advocate in the doctor's office, the importance of asking questions, finding providers who align with your values, and the shocking cost differences between hospitals and private clinics.

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ The transition to being a stay-at-home mom is a huge mental shift. Give yourself grace, find a new rhythm, and don't be afraid to try (and pivot from) new things to find your purpose outside of motherhood.
✨ Recovering from burnout starts with identifying the cause, delegating what you can, and implementing small, consistent habits (like gratitude and a solid nighttime routine) to regulate your nervous system.
✨ A Christ-centered relationship is built on mutual care, support, and pursuit. Green flags are about how a partner shows up for you in the hard times and treasures you as Christ loves the church.
✨ You are your own biggest health advocate. Don't be afraid to question the traditional healthcare system, explore alternatives to standard insurance, and find providers who will listen to you and help you find root causes.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
Have you navigated tricky family business conversations? What's one piece of advice you'd give to another farm family in transition? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line! The link is in our show notes.

Leave us a Voice Message!
We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note!

Welcome back to Beyond the Crops, where farm life meets real life! This week, Jena and Mary Pat are asking the question "What is Total Acre, and is it worth it?" They're joined by two very special guests who are deep in the trenches with this high-yield network: Mary Pat's husband Josh and fellow Wisconsin farmer Caleb Walters. From the community and networking to the data-driven trials and mindset shifts, they're breaking down what it takes to be a member, the biggest benefits they've seen on their own operations, and why it's about so much more than just chasing bushels.

📌 What We Cover in This Episode:

✅ What is Total Acre?
✅ The Power of the Network
✅ Data-Driven Trials
✅ The Commitment Involved
✅ The Best Time to Join
✅ A Special Offer for Listeners

💡 Key Takeaways:

✨ Community is a cheat code. Learning from the mistakes and successes of hundreds of other farmers gives you a massive head start and helps you make better decisions, faster.
✨ Pay attention to the details. The biggest gains often come from small, free adjustments—like planter settings, nutrient timing, and a deeper understanding of what the crop is telling you.
✨ Don't jump in all at once. When adopting new practices, "dip your toe in the water." Test on a small scale, see what works for your unique operation, and then expand.
✨ ROI is the real goal. Chasing high yields without considering the cost is a losing game. The best programs help you understand how to make more bushels with fewer or smarter inputs.
✨ Once you know better, you do better. The knowledge gained from a group like Total Acre changes your perspective permanently. You can't "unsee" the details that lead to a healthier, more profitable crop.

🙌 Join the Conversation!
Have you navigated tricky family business conversations? What's one piece of advice you'd give to another farm family in transition? Share your thoughts and tag us @beyondthecrops_. And don't forget to leave us a message on our new voicemail line! The link is in our show notes.

Special Offer from Total Acre (Until Jan. 15, 2026!):
Use code PODCAST for a $500 discount on a first year membership with Total Acre. This discounted membership opportunity is only available until January 15, 2026, and will allow you to attend the Grower Clinic and End of Year Meetings that are happening right now.

Click here to fill out the form and claim your $500 discount!

This offer is only valid until January 15, 2026, so don't wait!

Leave us a Voice Message!
We love hearing from you and continuing the conversation off the podcast. Click here to leave us a voice note!